County Championship: Roderick & Barnard steady Pears against Glamorgan

New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel is one of only three players to have claimed ten wickets in a Test innings

Gareth Roderick and Ed Barnard put Worcestershire in a strong position against Glamorgan in Cardiff before a late wobble saw them finish on 285-7.

Roderick's 88 not out was a cautious affair, while the more aggressive Barnard struck ten fours in his 75, in a fifth-wicket stand of 127.

Timm van der Gugten (3-42) was the pick of Glamorgan's bowlers.

Worcestershire are fighting to stay in the promotion race, while Glamorgan could go second with a draw.

A poor weather forecast means that substantial interruptions are likely on days two, three and four at Sophia Gardens.

After the Pears chose to bat, Jake Libby (12), Taylor Cornall (16) and Jack Haynes (13) all seemed to get themselves in but failed to make headway against van der Gugten and James Harris as the ball seamed around in the first session.

Opener Pollock mixed his usual leg-side aggression with some watchful defence in a valuable innings of 54 before he became van der Gugten's third victim as he edged to keeper Chris Cooke.

Worcestershire's top run scorer Barnard then reached a Championship half-century for the eighth time in 11 matches this season, taking the attack to the Glamorgan bowlers as he and Roderick put the visitors in a strong position.

Debutant New Zealand spinner Ajaz Patel bowled a long tight spell, eventually making the breakthrough in the last over of the old ball when Barnard fell leg-before.

Brett D'Oliveira and Ben Cox fell cheaply to Harris and Michael Hogan with the new ball, before Joe Leach (16 not out) partnered Roderick, who has already surpassed his best score for Worcestershire, through to the close.

India opening bat Shubman Gill is another new name in Glamorgan ranks, but Worcestershire's Pakistan batter Azhar Ali failed a late fitness test on his hamstring injury.

Meanwhile Glamorgan awarded a county cap to Sam Northeast.

The Championship's leading run-scorer Sam Northeast has set new records this summer for the county's highest first-class score, 410 not out at Leicester, and limited-overs score of 177 not out at Worcester.

Glamorgan's Timm van der Gugten told BBC Sport Wales:

"I'd say it's pretty even at the end, we weren't overly sure how the wicket would play so it was probably a good toss to lose. We started well, then when the ball got soft the wicket got nice to bat on.

"Credit to Roderick and Barnard with that partnership but it was nice to finish the day with seven wickets down.

"It feels like I haven't played Championship cricket since last year (an injury in May) so it was nice to get the Duke (ball) back in the hand and I was happy with the way it came out. As a unit we bowled well to keep them under three an over, it was a great effort.

"We can't control the weather so we'll rock up, hopefully get some game time, knock over the last three wickets and have a bat."

Worcestershire all-rounder Ed Barnard told BBC Hereford & Worcester:

"It was nice to get that partnership with Gareth, it was a bit of a sticky situation when I came in so it was nice to put some big runs on, but disappointed to lose those few wickets at the end.

"In the last six weeks you can see Gareth's confidence start to change a bit, we know that player's in there and we've seen it before, so it's nice to see him do it for Worcestershire.

"He soaked up the pressure when it got tough towards the end and made it easier for the other batters coming in.

"There was a little period before the decision was made (to move to Warwickshire) but I'm just trying to enjoy my cricket as I always do wherever I'm playing, things are going well so it looks more relaxed."